May 17, 2006
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In Pursuit for Happiness, Part 3
We are passing from one partner to another partner; from one friend to another friend; from one job to another job; from one house to another house, from one church to another church (you get the drill) all in pursuit for happiness. And strangely it always looks as if happiness is somewhere out there. That happiness is in a new partner, friend, job, house, church and so on. Others are enjoying their lives and envy says that it makes sense to pursue what others have to be happy like they do. But when we reach where we think we can find happiness, it is not there. Why? Because we are too busy pursuing happiness and forget to enjoy it. We forget that happiness is not something to pursue. It is our nature to be happy. We forget that happiness is not to be created—happiness is to be seen.
“The grass beyond your fence is always greener, but don’t jump the fence to see whether it is actually so. Enjoy it! If it is greener on the other side of the fence, enjoy it! Why destroy things by jumping the fence and finding out that is worse than your own grass?”
Notes from OSHO, Joy. The Happiness That Comes from Within.
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Comments (11)
Just enjoy the view but never jump it, exactly. Happy Wednesdsay, Anh. =)
“We forget that happiness is not something to pursue. It is our nature to be happy.”
This yoga instructor reminds us that what we’re searching for is actually within us. We search for happiness in other people or through substances, but it’s only temporal and impermanent. The happiness within is eternal if we just let go of grasping and look within.
That book really had a profound effect on me. If people would just stop “looking” for happiness, they just mind find it.
We forget that happiness is not to be created—happiness is to be seen.
I think more along the lines of “happiness happens”, although you can create situations that will most likely make you happy.
So what if the grass on the other side of the fence actually is greener?
If happiness is within, then where you are is a happy place. I won’t matter whether you change houses, jobs, churches or not. Both places will be happy. If happiness is not within you, then it also will not matter what changes you make because you will be miserable everywhere.
ryc: it’s actually my mom. hehehe…
Geographical cures do not work because you have to take you with you, Judi
I have always felt that happiness just happened depending on events, I don’t believe that today. What is happiness? Perhaps a postive perception of my reality, then unhappiness is me not being happy with my pereceived reality because it did not turn out they way me, playing God, would like it to be. Thy will be done not mine, comes to mind. Easy principle on the surface to understand, seemingly impossible to put into practice on a regular basis.
lenn
yes, sometimes the grass appears greener on the other side but i believe there’s that optical illusion. it just seems greener =] but yeah … i believe happiness is within & chasing happiness is like moby dick. great post!
Ah, I’m actually happy with my life. And everything that came with it. = )